'Amaravati On Its Way To Become People's Capital: PM Modi

Amaravati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of Andhra Pradesh's new capital Amaravati in Guntur district.

Here are the highlights of what he said at the event:

• On this auspicious day, Andhra Pradesh is taking a special step
• Amravati is all set to become the people's capital
• The quick speed in which Chandrababu Ji has put everything together, I salute him
• The need of the hour is urban development. We should see it as an opportunity and not as a problem
• That is why we have moved towards our target of 100 smart cities
• Cities should be engines of economic growth
• They should have the most advanced technology
• When there was an earthquake in 2001 in Bhuj, Gujarat and many areas were devastated. It was a challenge to rebuild the city
• But when there is political will and support of the people, anything is possible
• Today the city is one of the best in the state
• Chandrababu Naidu went to K Chandrasekhara Rao's house and invited him. I was so happy and I congratulate him for that
• When the decision to carve Telangana out Andhra Pradesh was taken, discussions were not completed.
• But in the whole process, the innocent people who lost their lives and property, I feel for them
• When the British left our country, they have left behind many things that lead to disagreements
• The previous government has also done a similar thing that is why Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are fighting with each other
• But be it Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, our soul is Telugu
• Professionals from Andhra Pradesh have made a name for themselves in the world
• The youth can create a whole new infrastructure for the state from here
• I am hopeful that Andhra Pradesh will lead the economic revolution in days to come
• This will be a youth centric economic revolution
• Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have the capability to work with each other and move ahead
• Three new states were created when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the PM, but there was no fighting and no blood was spilled
• I am trying to create a similar situation between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana